COLUMBIA, S.C., July 17, 2026, Benedict College will proudly serve as the host site for the 47th Annual South Carolina Association of Law Enforcement Explorers (SCALE) Conference, taking place July 19–25, 2026. Co-hosted by the Benedict College Police Department and the City of Columbia Police Department, the weeklong conference will bring together more than 150 Law Enforcement Explorers, advisors, and law enforcement professionals from across South Carolina and neighboring states.
The conference officially begins on Sunday, July 19, with Welcome Day at 1:00 p.m. at the Lorick Park Community Center, located at 1600 Lorick Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203. Throughout the week, participants will engage in hands-on training, leadership development, scenario-based competitions, and team-building activities held on the Benedict College campus and at various locations throughout downtown Columbia.
The 2026 conference theme, “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Service, Integrity, and Excellence,” reflects the program’s commitment to preparing the next generation of law enforcement professionals through mentorship, education, and community engagement.
“We are honored to welcome these outstanding young leaders and the dedicated law enforcement professionals who mentor them to Benedict College,” said Benedict College Police Chief Kevin Portee. “Hosting the SCALE Conference aligns with our commitment to leadership development, public service, and fostering meaningful partnerships that positively impact our communities.”
The SCALE Conference provides high school-aged participants with realistic exposure to careers in law enforcement through practical exercises, leadership training, ethical decision-making, and teamwork. The annual event also strengthens relationships among participating agencies while promoting professionalism and service.
Participating agencies include:
- Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office
- Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
- Cayce Police Department
- Columbia, Tennessee Police Department
- Goose Creek Police Department
- Irmo Police Department
- Lawrenceville Police Department (Georgia)
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
- Mount Pleasant Police Department Post 510
- North Myrtle Beach Police Department
- Richland County Sheriff’s Department
- Summerville Police Department
- Union County Sheriff’s Office
The conference will conclude with the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, July 25, at Dreher High School, 3319 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205, where participants will be recognized for their achievements during the week’s competitions and training exercises.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the conference, including Welcome Day, training events, competitions, and the Awards Ceremony. The event highlights positive collaboration among law enforcement agencies and shows opportunities for young people interested in careers in public safety.
Contact: Lieutenant Shae Sherman, Benedict College Police Department
803.705.4626 or [email protected]
Benedict College
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award,given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest, voted the number one Gold Winner in The States’ BEST College or University in 2025, and was recognized among the Best Colleges in South Carolina in Research.com’s 2026 rankings.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.